Lizard’s Thicket

Describing its food as “authentic regional Southern home cooking,” casual-dining chain Lizard’s Thicket specializes in Southern homestyle favorites such as fried chicken, country fried steak, pork chops and catfish for all three dayparts. Bob and Anna Williams opened the first unit in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1977. The first unit was a five-room house converted into a restaurant with three small dining rooms and a small kitchen. Today restaurants are freestanding structures in urban neighborhoods that range from 4,000 to 5,000 square feet with seating for 150 to 200 guests. Décor is decidedly Southern.